Ex-Australian Bishop Sentenced to Prison Over Sexual Abuse of Aboriginal Men

Former Australian bishop Christopher Saunders has been sentenced to prison for sexually abusing two young Aboriginal men during his tenure as a Catholic cleric.

Saunders, who stepped down from his role as Bishop of Broome in 2020 following initial allegations, was convicted on one count of rape and twelve counts of indecent assault.

Now 76 years old, he received a sentence of six and a half years in prison, with eligibility for parole set for February 2031.

He stands among the highest-ranking Catholic officials globally to be convicted of such offenses.

The trial, held in Western Australia, revealed that Saunders systematically groomed the two victims, luring them to private events and providing them with alcohol—often using church funds and church premises in the process.

Convictions included charges of inappropriate touching and forced oral sex against one of the men.

In a victim impact statement, one survivor expressed difficulty discussing the trauma he endured.

“I was a toy that he was using,” the victim stated.

“My head is pounding now, I’m in so much pain.”

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